West Covina Statue Vandalized

WEST COVINA: On 2/21/14 at approximately 0630, employees of West Covina Big League Dream Park, 2100 S. Azusa Ave, West Covina discovered the statue at the front entrance of the facility honoring the late Major League Baseball player Cory Lidle was heavily damaged.

In addition to the damage, three bronze plaques were removed from the area near the statue. The stolen plaques recognized the West Covina City Council, Big League Dream Officials and listed a biography of Baseball player Cory Lidle. The plaques were dedicated in the grand opening of the facility in October of 2007. The crimes are being investigated by the West Covina Police Department.

The damage to the statue exceeds one hundred thousand dollars. The loss of the stolen placards total over six thousand dollars. The suspects in this case are unknown at this time.

Plaque pre-vandalism Photo: West Covina Police

West Covina City Mayor Steve Herfert said, “The vandalism to the Cory Lidle statue is a deplorable act by some despicable human beings. The City of West Covina will find these vandals and prosecute them to the fullest degree possible. To damage a statue memorializing the life of Cory Lidle is very personal to all of our residents. Cory’s life represents the hopes and dreams of every baseball player and kind person in our City. I promise our residents this act of vandalism will not deter us from our goal of fulfilling dreams at our Big League Dreams facility. The statue will be repaired and we will be stronger in our resolve to stop crime and vandalism. We are a City united by our belief of improving lives and caring for our fellow man.”

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call The West Covina Police Department at 626-939-8557 or our anonymous recorded line at 626-939-8688.